Sitting down to practice scales, chords, and music theory is essential for developing your bass playing skills, but it can quickly become monotonous. To keep your inspiration alive and avoid boredom, learning some easy bass songs that you can master quickly is key. This approach not only keeps you motivated but also builds a valuable repertoire of bass lines that you can access anytime.
Below, you’ll find a curated list of easy bass songs perfect for beginners, complete with tabs for the main riffs. This eliminates the need to search for them separately. For each song, you’ll also find the track itself, links to helpful YouTube lessons, and a bass-less version to jam along with.
Remember, the tabs provided are just one way to play these riffs. Video lessons might demonstrate different fingerings, so feel free to choose what feels most comfortable for you.
If you’re serious about learning bass through songs, consider exploring platforms like JamPlay. They offer a wealth of lessons from renowned bass players, focusing heavily on song-based learning.
Let’s dive in! Here are 9 fantastic and easy bass songs to learn as a beginner:
9 Must-Learn Easy Bass Songs for Beginners
1. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
In 2003, The White Stripes unleashed “Seven Nation Army,” a hit song that catapulted them into global fame. Its iconic riff has become ubiquitous, played in stadiums, TV shows, and movies worldwide.
Featuring arguably one of the most recognizable basslines ever, “Seven Nation Army” is incredibly accessible for beginner bassists. Its catchy and repetitive nature makes it a rewarding and quick song to learn.
Seven Nation Army Bass Tab
2. Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
Ask any bassist for recommendations on easy songs, and “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen will consistently top the list. It’s a frequently suggested track in online forums and bass communities for good reason.
The intro bassline of this song marked a significant turning point for Queen and profoundly influenced both their future music and the broader landscape of popular music. Written by Queen’s bassist, John Deacon, the band was initially hesitant to release it as a single. However, Michael Jackson’s insistence led to its release, and it became an instant classic.
“Another One Bites The Dust” boasts one of the most iconic basslines ever created, making it an essential song for any aspiring bassist to learn.
Another One Bites The Dust Bass Tab
3. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
Kurt Cobain’s songwriting genius is undeniable, and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is a testament to his ability to create enduringly catchy songs. This anthem has been a radio staple for decades.
Krist Novoselic’s bassline in “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is assertive, energetic, and incredibly fun to play. The song features a repeating 16th note pattern, which is excellent practice for beginners to develop speed and dexterity. It’s also a fantastic song for honing your alternating picking or fingerstyle techniques.
Smells Like Teen Spirit Bass Tab
Main Riff
4. Come Together – The Beatles
“Come Together,” a Beatles classic primarily penned by John Lennon, soared to the top of the charts in the US and reached number 4 in the UK.
Paul McCartney’s bass playing on this track, likely using his signature Hofner bass (featured in articles about lightweight basses), is both melodic and foundational. “Come Together” is an ideal song for practicing slides on the bass guitar, as this technique is prominent throughout the song.
Come Together Bass Tab
Main Riff
5. Bombtrack – Rage Against The Machine
Tim Commerford stands out as one of the most influential rock bassists of the 1990s. His signature heavily distorted and aggressive tone has become a benchmark for many modern rock basslines.
“Bombtrack” is a prime example of a powerful yet straightforward bassline. It’s the definition of a supporting bass part that drives the song’s energy. This Rage Against The Machine track is one of the best easy rock bass songs available for beginners.
Aim for a deep, warm, and full tone when playing along to “Bombtrack.” Standing up and moving to the music is almost mandatory while playing this energetic track! Pay attention to synchronizing your pull-offs and bends with the guitar parts for a tighter sound.
Bombtrack Bass Tab
Chorus
6. Pretty Fly For A White Guy – The Offspring
“Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)” by The Offspring, released in 1998 as the fourth track from their album Americana, reached number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted in 15 countries.
While “Pretty Fly” features a higher density of notes compared to some other songs on this list, which might initially seem challenging for some beginners, the consistent rhythm makes it manageable. Once you lock into the groove, the bassline becomes quite repetitive and easy to learn.
Pretty Fly For A White Guy Bass Tab
7. Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz
“Feel Good Inc.” by the British virtual band Gorillaz was released in 2005 and quickly became a hit, reaching number 2 in the UK and number 14 in the US charts.
Jason Cox’s bassline in “Feel Good Inc.” is incredibly catchy, making it a must-learn riff for bass players of all levels, especially beginners.
The original song is tuned to Eb standard, but the tab below is transcribed to standard tuning for easier access. Alternatively, you can tune your bass down to Eb to play along with the original recording and video tutorials.
Even if you don’t learn the entire song, dedicating time to master the main intro riff and watching the iconic music video is highly recommended.
Feel Good Inc. Bass Tab
Intro
8. Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People
Released in 2010, “Pumped Up Kicks” was Foster The People’s breakthrough hit, becoming one of the most popular songs of that era.
Remarkably, Mark Foster wrote and recorded “Pumped Up Kicks” in just 5 hours on a whim! Thinking it was merely a demo, Foster played all instruments, arranged, and edited the track himself. This spontaneous recording became the final version released to massive acclaim.
Pumped Up Kicks Bass Tab
Main Riff
9. Enter Sandman – Metallica
“Enter Sandman” holds the distinction of being the first song written for Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album, often referred to as “The Black Album.”
Producer Bob Rock played a crucial role in shaping the album’s sound, suggesting that the band members record together in the studio rather than separately. This collaborative approach amplified the intensity and feel of the music.
Metallica’s earlier work was often guitar-centric, but “Enter Sandman” marked a shift, elevating the bass guitar to a more prominent role in shaping the overall sound and mood of the album. The bassline in “Enter Sandman” is powerful and iconic, and surprisingly manageable for beginner bassists.
Enter Sandman Bass Tab
Chorus Riff
